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The Owl Teacher © 2015 Pollution Activity An adaptation to the
The Owl Teacher © 2015
Pollution ActivityAn adaptation to the
Freddie the Fish!
The story of Freddie the Fish is not my creation. This is an adaptation of the many different variations of it found on the internet. I am not sure who the original creator is. Through my research, I was never able to determine it. However, I can tell you that I read and modified the Michigan Technological University version. I would love to give credit where it is due.
Every year for Earth Day, I like to have my students conduct this experiment, as it is a great way to help them “see” the impact we have on animals and their environment. Students always enjoy this activity. For this activity, you can read each card yourself, or provide several different students with a card to read. I have provided along the bottom of the card what gets poured into Freddie’s environment afterwards. Finally, I have provided a blank card in case you would like to create another of your own.
Following this activity, I always have students fill in an eight square chart that lists each of the containments. Together with a partner, they brainstorm ways that those activities could be done without impacting Freddie’s environment. I encourage students to think beyond the generic “Just don’t do it.” For instance, with the cows, could they find a way to bring water up to them to drink instead? Watch out for those cute kiddos that want to just build a fence all along the river. Explain that idea is just not practical.
Finally, we create the Earth display. Here we color the Earth and explain why it’s important and how we can take care of it better.
I hope you and your students enjoy this activity!
The Owl Teacher © 2015
Preparation
Materials (This is per group. This could also be a demonstration.):*a small plastic container *Solo cups- small cups with lids (not
(such as Glad resealables) drinking cups)*fish line *raisins*sponges *green food coloring*water *paper pieces*dish soap *coffee grounds*soil *Salt*pancake syrup *plastic spoon
Using the sponges bought, cut into a fish shape. Using fish line, run it through the sponge fish horizontally. I usually use a large craft needle. Poke a small hole in both ends of the plastic container near the top. The higher up it is the higher your water level can be. Then run the fish line through the container and tie a few knots on the end outside the holes. See the picture below:
Fish LineFish Line
Hole
HoleFish Sponge
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Preparation Continued:
Then gather the materials needed and place each in a Solo cup with the top/cap. Make enough for each group. Each container represents a contaminant that is dumped in the “river.” You may want to provide each group with paper towels (for any clean up needed) and a plastic spoon for occasional mixing of the water (Otherwise, many students will just dump it on Freddie and leave it there). For the salt, I use Kosher Salt for bigger crystals, however regular salt will work. For coffee grounds, instant coffee or leftover grounds both work well. For the green food coloring, I add water to the container and a few drops of food coloring – the color green is optional. It can be any color. For the paper pieces, I just empty out my hole punch.
Here are what my containers looked like (I had five groups):
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This is Freddie the Fish! He is a happy fish that lives in crystal clear water, enjoys the shade of the tall trees along the river bank, and gets lots of insects to munch on each day.
How do you think Freddie feels?
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One day, Freddie wondered what was beyond his little part of the river. He decided to go on a little journey and explore. He heads on downstream. He’s ready to see the world!
Along the river, Freddie first comes across a spot where bulldozers are taking out trees and clearing land. Soil and dirt roll into the river because there are no tree roots to hold the soil in place. Poor Freddie gets soil in his gills. Without the trees, Freddie notices he is feeling warmer. (Pour in Soil)
As Freddie continues down the river, he spots some black and white animals moving closer and closer to the river. While these animals are getting a drink, they drop a “present” into the water for Freddie. Freddie is not impressed with the smell or that the sediment is being stirred up!
(Pour in Raisins)
As Freddie rounds the corner, he has to dodge a golf ball that nearly lands in the river. The golf club likes to keep their courses looking nice, so they use a lot of fertilizer. Unfortunately, when it rained last, it caused it to run off into the river.
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Freddie noticed that this area had a lot of tall plants growing and actually was starting to feel smothered. However, Freddie is a trooper and charged on. He was determined to see all the river had to offer!
After a while of swimming, Freddie began to notice a salty taste to the water, and he started to feel the sting of salt in his gills. All the salt that was used on the roads in the winter had worked its way into the river. Ouch! It’s hurting!
How do you think Freddie is feeling?(Pour in Salt)
Freddie continues on and passes a picnic site at a local park. As he was passing, the wind began blowing litter into the river from the park.
(Pour in Paper)
(Pour in greenliquid)
Freddie is starting to feel a bit distressed, but he keeps moving on. It begins to rain, and Freddie notices this rain is different. It turns out this rain is acid rain caused by the air pollution.
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Along the river edge, Freddie comes across an old abandoned factory. There are a lot of toxic pollutants and rusty materials seeping into the river. This creates a sludge in the river. Freddie tries to swim through it.
After struggling, Freddie finally gets through the toxic pollutants in the river. Along the side of the river, Freddie notices a man dumping oil from his car into the river. The oil gets into his gills and he starts to have difficulty breathing. He gasps and takes his last breath.
(Pour in Syrup)
(Pour in dish soap) (Pour in coffee)
Clearing trees and building houses Cows leaving behind presents
Fertilizer Salt during winter on the roads
Litter at the park Acid Rain from air pollution
Abandoned factory Oil from a vehicle
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After discussing the impact that humans have on Freddie’s environment, we discuss how it impacts the Earth. Then we discuss what we need to do to better our planet.
We then put together this cute activity. Some students placed it on blue construction paper, while others placed it on green. They wrote about why taking care of the Earth is important and what will happen if we do not.
The Owl Teacher © 2015
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The Owl Teacher © 2015
The Owl Teacher © 2015
Credits
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